Dimensión de la Gestión de Compras

The increased use of grounds for events other than the specific sport or sports for which they are designed, requires management to consider a number of issues. This should be done well in advance, in consultation with the emergency services and, where a safety certificate is in force, with the local authority.

In all cases, it is stressed that the provision of safe accommodation for spectators and the maintenance of safety standards remains the responsibility of ground management. As part of the planning process for an alternative event, the capacity of the sports ground will need to be reassessed taking account of all of the chapters within the Guide.

As stated in Section 3.3.e, management must conduct site-specific risk assessments for all events including any ancillary activities. This includes any alternative use of a sports ground and should take account of any temporary accommodation or facility. The risk assessment must include fire safety (see Section 15.3) and medical provision (see Section 18.2) and consideration of the potential for dynamic crowd loading (see Section 5.5). Where an event is being staged by an outside organisation, close liaison will be needed between that organisation and the ground management to agree who is responsible for specific safety duties and to ensure that each party understands its responsibilities. The agreement should also be recorded in a written statement.

If doubts arise as to the suitability of the ground itself – its layout or structures – or to the management’s ability to adapt its safety management operation to different

circumstances, professional advice should be sought and the event should not take place unless the doubts can be adequately addressed in a fully documented process.

It should be noted that this chapter applies not only to the staging of such events as concerts or mass gatherings, but also to the staging of sports other than the sport or sports for which the ground was designed. This might include such events as a boxing match staged at a football ground, or a rugby match staged at an athletics stadium. Additional advice is also available in The event safety guide, issued by the Health and Safety Executive (see Bibliography).

Further guidance on the use of temporary demountable structures can be found in Chapter 14.

20.2 Viewing standards

Management should be aware that where sports grounds are used for alternative events viewing standards may need to be reassessed, particularly if the point of focus is: a. a single part of the sports ground, for example a stage at one end of the ground

rather than a whole field of play or

b. raised above ground level, thereby reducing the amount of stretching and straining necessary to view the event.

In addition video screens are sometimes provided to compensate for any restriction to the view.

20.3

Provision for spectator accommodation

Where the required provision for spectator accommodation is likely to differ from the standard arrangements for the ground, management should ensure that the safety of spectators is not compromised. In particular, management should consider the following: a. If spectators are to be allowed to view the event from the pitch or area of activity,

the total number allowed should take into account the ingress or egress capacity of the entrances and exits available around the pitch or area, and the arrangements made for emergency evacuation, using the methodology set out in Chapter 2. It is important to ensure that any ‘access all areas’ tickets issued are taken in account in assessing capacities.

b. If spectators are to stand on the pitch or area of activity, suitable arrangements for their safety should be provided. This will include the provision of firm underfoot conditions, barrier protection where necessary (for example, around temporary structures), and effective stewarding and monitoring. The event safety guide advises that generally 0.5m2 _{of available floor space per person be used for outdoor music} events.

Front of stage barriers are normally required for events such as concerts. The front of stage barrier is usually temporary and assembled on site from prefabricated elements. Reference should be made to Temporary Demountable Structures – Guidance on Procurement, Design and Use published by the Institution of Structural Engineers (see Bibliography) and the relevant British Standard.

c. If there is to be a free movement of spectators between the stands or terraces and the pitch or area of activity, all entry points should be controlled and the numbers monitored.

d. Areas of fixed viewing accommodation from which the event cannot be safely or comfortably viewed in full, owing to the position of temporary structures – such as stages, temporary demountable stands, advertising hoardings or camera platforms – should, wherever possible, be taken out of use and, in any case, discounted from any capacity calculation. Management should ensure that such arrangements do not preclude the attendance of disabled spectators.

20.4

Profile of likely spectators or audience

Different sports and events attract different groups of spectators. Some may attract more women, young children, disabled or elderly people than is the norm for the core sport or sports staged at the ground. Provision for their safety and welfare should therefore be considered in advance. Contingency plans for the ground might also have to be adapted accordingly.

In particular, the following considerations should be addressed:

a. Many of the spectators attending the event might be unfamiliar with the layout of the ground, thus requiring extra signs and stewarding at key points.

b. The response of many spectators to instructions, controls and emergency evacuation procedures might be slower than is the norm for the regular audience.

c. Toilet and catering arrangements might have to be adapted. If temporary facilities are brought in, their siting and service arrangements should not block any circulation routes, particularly those required for egress or emergency evacuation.

20.5

Briefing of event personnel

Many events will involve the participation of personnel – including technical staff, visiting and contract stewards, officials, media personnel and even participants – who are

unfamiliar with the ground and its safety management arrangements. Ground management should therefore ensure that such persons are suitably briefed and familiarised in advance.

Pre-event agreements should make absolutely clear to all concerned the chain of command, and the division of responsibilities.

20.6

Staging of concerts

Before considering the staging of a concert at a sports ground, management should seek guidance from competent persons of the appropriate experience.

Particular concerns to be addressed are as follows: a. The suitability of spectator accommodation

It is stressed that not all areas of a ground may be suitable for safely accommodating audiences at a concert.

Before an area of spectator accommodation is used, whether it is permanent or temporary, an evaluation of the structure must take into account the dynamic loading likely to result from the movements of a concert audience (see Sections 5.5 and 14.6).

b. The suitability of systems

Conditions during a concert will differ greatly from those experienced during a routine event at the sports ground. Management should thus ensure that all systems will function under such conditions. For example, radio communications might be more difficult owing to the high noise levels.

Provision should also be made for any imported sound system to be interrupted by safety announcements made from the central control point.

c. Keeping gangways clear

Particular care may need to be taken to ensure that spectators do not sit or stand in gangways in order to gain an improved view.

d. Lighting

At certain types of events reduced lighting levels form part of the performance, in order to place greater emphasis on the stage. Care may therefore need to be taken in order to ensure that the safety of spectators is not prejudiced.

20.7

Firework displays

Any firework display should be arranged and located in such a way that spectators and surrounding residents are not at risk, and that there is no threat to structures at the ground or to surrounding industrial or commercial premises (particularly those where petroleum products may be stored).

Management should also ensure that the smoke from any fireworks will disperse and not become concentrated under stand roofs.

Similar precautions should be made if fireworks or flares form a part of any other event to be staged.

Any specific activities which include pyrotechnic displays must be included in the fire risk assessment (see Section 15.3).

20.8

Designing for alternative uses

For new construction: the design of a new sports ground, or section of a ground, should take reasonable account of all likely uses of the ground, with particular emphasis on: a. The arrangements for emergency evacuation (particularly from and to the area of

activity).

b. The design of seated areas. As stated in Section 12.13, if it is intended to stage events for which a greater level of accessibility and comfort will be required – such as concerts or mass gatherings – the dimensions of seats depths should be increased. Extra comfort levels for the actual seats might also be considered in particular areas. c. Circulation routes should be designed in such a way that, if necessary, a free

movement of people can be safely managed for particular events. This will require the installation of flexible dividing structures.

d. To avoid congestion in concourses, the design of toilets should be flexible to cater for differing ratios of males and females.

20.9

Ancillary activities

Many events include ancillary activities such as parachute jumps, fairs, inflatables, bands, dancers and pyrotechnics as pre and post-event entertainment. The potential benefits and problems associated with such activities should be the subject of a site-specific risk assessment in addition to any general risk assessment undertaken by the supplier of the activity.

Annex A: Assessment of capacity –